Tipasa, Algeria

Forget the idyllic Roman ruins - Tipasa's modern reality is one of heavy bureaucracy and coastal vulnerability. With a population of nearly 30,000, the city was once a thriving Punic trading post and Roman colony, but today it faces threats of sea level rise that could flood its historic sites by the end of the century. Despite the remnants of a once-prosperous past, including the remains of three major basilicas, Tipasa's residents still grapple with the headache of persistent red tape. This crumbling coastal town is best suited for those with a deep appreciation for ancient history and a high tolerance for administrative obstacles.